Kanter said that his only endorsement deal is with trading card company PaniniNBAE/GETTY IMAGES
Knicks C Enes Kanter revealed that negotiations for an endorsement deal with Nike "broke down because the sneaker corporation was scared of losing their business in Turkey," according to Stefan Bondy of the N.Y. DAILY NEWS. Kanter, a native of Turkey, is "labeled a traitor as part of the opposition" to the government. Kanter currently does not have an agent, but said that he is close to hiring Priority Sports & Entertainment's Mark Bartelstein with the "hope that he can finally score some money off endorsements." He added that his "only endorsement deal" is with trading card company Panini. Kanter: "Outside of the court I make almost no money because of all the Turkish stuff because American companies are scared to give me a contract. So right now if I have an agent maybe I'll get some Chinese shoe deal company deal or something, or Filipino or whatever" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 3/27). Kanter will still be "represented by Maestro Sports for other endeavors, as he takes advantage of the New York limelight -- recently appearing as a guest on one of his favorite TV shows, 'Impractical Jokers'" (N.Y. POST, 3/27).
